The AI Policy Institute survey found that 78% prefer mandatory safety and security standards to no regulation, with similar support among Democrats and Republicans.

Key Takeaways

• 78% of likely voters chose mandatory safety and security standards over no regulations at all.
• Democrats and Republicans were only a few points apart on core AI safety principles, including mandatory standards and human control requirements.
• 65% prefer required government review of frontier AI models over voluntary review.
• 86% said the most powerful AI systems should have a guaranteed “kill” switch.
• Only 16% supported fully blocking states’ ability to regulate AI.

The AI Policy Institute (AIPI) released a national survey showing broad voter support for mandatory safety rules for advanced AI.

The survey asked 1,007 U.S. likely voters to choose among competing approaches to oversight of advanced AI systems. The report shows strong bipartisan support for regulating AI development rather than halting it.

Voters want AI regulation

The survey gave voters a choice between two approaches. One would require AI companies to add safeguards to their most advanced models. The other would leave the AI industry largely unregulated and hold users responsible for illegal use.

Voters chose mandatory safety and security standards over no regulation by a margin of 78% to 8%, with 14% unsure.

Further, voters chose required government review of the most capable AI models over voluntary review, 65% to 22%. They also chose government-led safety standards over company-led standards, 62% to 24%.

Regulation not cancellation

The report also found that voters favored mandatory standards over an outright ban on more powerful AI systems, 66% to 21%. 

Parties agree on AI safety

The survey found broad agreement between Democrats and Republicans on the basic case for AI safety rules.

Both parties backed the same direction: required safeguards, human control, and government oversight.

Democratic and Republican support for core AI safety principles in the AI Policy Institute survey. (Image credit: AI Risk Today)

Control draws the broadest support

AIPI found that 86% of likely voters agreed that the most powerful AI systems should have a guaranteed way to shut them down; i.e., a “kill” switch. Support was 88% among Democrats, 86% among independents, and 83% among Republicans.

The report also found that 84% said Congress should make sure the most powerful AI models remain under human control. Further, 82% agreed that companies should not build AI to be smarter than humans until they can demonstrate control over such systems.

Voters want a regulatory backstop, less concerned if states regulate

Half of voters said states should be allowed to regulate AI until Congress passes federal rules. 20% said states should be allowed to set their own rules indefinitely, and only 16% said states should be barred from regulating AI entirely.